Objective: To explore the feasibility of synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (syMRI) combined with clinicopathological characteristics for the pre-treatment prediction of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) response in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (ANPC). Materials and Methods: Patients with ANPC treated with CRT between September 2020 and June 2022 were retrospectively enrolled and categorized into response group (RG, n = 95) and non RGs (NRG, n = 32) based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1. The quantitative parameters from pre-treatment syMRI (longitudinal [T1] and transverse [T2] relaxation times and proton density [PD]), diffusion-weighted imaging (apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC]), and clinicopathological characteristics were compared between RG and NRG. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify parameters independently associated with CRT response and to construct a multivariable model. The areas under the receiveroperating characteristic curve (AUC) for various diagnostic approaches were compared using the DeLong test. Results: The T1, T2, and PD values in the NRG were significantly lower than those in the RG (all P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed in the ADC values between these two groups. Clinicopathological characteristics (Epstein–Barr virus [EBV]-DNA level, lymph node extranodal extension, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression) exhibited significant differences between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that T1, PD, EBV-DNA level, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression had significant independent relationships with CRT response (all P < 0.05). The multivariable model incorporating these five variables yielded AUC, sensitivity, and specificity values of 0.974, 93.8% (30/32), and 91.6% (87/95), respectively. Conclusion SyMRI may be used for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response in ANPC. The multivariable model incorporating syMRI quantitative parameters and clinicopathological characteristics, which were independently associated with CRT response, may be a new tool for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response.

Objective: To explore the feasibility of synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (syMRI) combined with clinicopathological characteristics for the pre-treatment prediction of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) response in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (ANPC). Materials and Methods: Patients with ANPC treated with CRT between September 2020 and June 2022 were retrospectively enrolled and categorized into response group (RG, n = 95) and non RGs (NRG, n = 32) based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1. The quantitative parameters from pre-treatment syMRI (longitudinal [T1] and transverse [T2] relaxation times and proton density [PD]), diffusion-weighted imaging (apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC]), and clinicopathological characteristics were compared between RG and NRG. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify parameters independently associated with CRT response and to construct a multivariable model. The areas under the receiveroperating characteristic curve (AUC) for various diagnostic approaches were compared using the DeLong test. Results: The T1, T2, and PD values in the NRG were significantly lower than those in the RG (all P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed in the ADC values between these two groups. Clinicopathological characteristics (Epstein–Barr virus [EBV]-DNA level, lymph node extranodal extension, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression) exhibited significant differences between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that T1, PD, EBV-DNA level, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression had significant independent relationships with CRT response (all P < 0.05). The multivariable model incorporating these five variables yielded AUC, sensitivity, and specificity values of 0.974, 93.8% (30/32), and 91.6% (87/95), respectively. Conclusion SyMRI may be used for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response in ANPC. The multivariable model incorporating syMRI quantitative parameters and clinicopathological characteristics, which were independently associated with CRT response, may be a new tool for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response.

Objective: To explore the feasibility of synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (syMRI) combined with clinicopathological characteristics for the pre-treatment prediction of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) response in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (ANPC). Materials and Methods: Patients with ANPC treated with CRT between September 2020 and June 2022 were retrospectively enrolled and categorized into response group (RG, n = 95) and non RGs (NRG, n = 32) based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1. The quantitative parameters from pre-treatment syMRI (longitudinal [T1] and transverse [T2] relaxation times and proton density [PD]), diffusion-weighted imaging (apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC]), and clinicopathological characteristics were compared between RG and NRG. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify parameters independently associated with CRT response and to construct a multivariable model. The areas under the receiveroperating characteristic curve (AUC) for various diagnostic approaches were compared using the DeLong test. Results: The T1, T2, and PD values in the NRG were significantly lower than those in the RG (all P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed in the ADC values between these two groups. Clinicopathological characteristics (Epstein–Barr virus [EBV]-DNA level, lymph node extranodal extension, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression) exhibited significant differences between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that T1, PD, EBV-DNA level, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression had significant independent relationships with CRT response (all P < 0.05). The multivariable model incorporating these five variables yielded AUC, sensitivity, and specificity values of 0.974, 93.8% (30/32), and 91.6% (87/95), respectively. Conclusion SyMRI may be used for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response in ANPC. The multivariable model incorporating syMRI quantitative parameters and clinicopathological characteristics, which were independently associated with CRT response, may be a new tool for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response.

Objective: To explore the feasibility of synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (syMRI) combined with clinicopathological characteristics for the pre-treatment prediction of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) response in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (ANPC). Materials and Methods: Patients with ANPC treated with CRT between September 2020 and June 2022 were retrospectively enrolled and categorized into response group (RG, n = 95) and non RGs (NRG, n = 32) based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1. The quantitative parameters from pre-treatment syMRI (longitudinal [T1] and transverse [T2] relaxation times and proton density [PD]), diffusion-weighted imaging (apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC]), and clinicopathological characteristics were compared between RG and NRG. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify parameters independently associated with CRT response and to construct a multivariable model. The areas under the receiveroperating characteristic curve (AUC) for various diagnostic approaches were compared using the DeLong test. Results: The T1, T2, and PD values in the NRG were significantly lower than those in the RG (all P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed in the ADC values between these two groups. Clinicopathological characteristics (Epstein–Barr virus [EBV]-DNA level, lymph node extranodal extension, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression) exhibited significant differences between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that T1, PD, EBV-DNA level, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression had significant independent relationships with CRT response (all P < 0.05). The multivariable model incorporating these five variables yielded AUC, sensitivity, and specificity values of 0.974, 93.8% (30/32), and 91.6% (87/95), respectively. Conclusion SyMRI may be used for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response in ANPC. The multivariable model incorporating syMRI quantitative parameters and clinicopathological characteristics, which were independently associated with CRT response, may be a new tool for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response.

Objective: To explore the feasibility of synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (syMRI) combined with clinicopathological characteristics for the pre-treatment prediction of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) response in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (ANPC). Materials and Methods: Patients with ANPC treated with CRT between September 2020 and June 2022 were retrospectively enrolled and categorized into response group (RG, n = 95) and non RGs (NRG, n = 32) based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1. The quantitative parameters from pre-treatment syMRI (longitudinal [T1] and transverse [T2] relaxation times and proton density [PD]), diffusion-weighted imaging (apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC]), and clinicopathological characteristics were compared between RG and NRG. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify parameters independently associated with CRT response and to construct a multivariable model. The areas under the receiveroperating characteristic curve (AUC) for various diagnostic approaches were compared using the DeLong test. Results: The T1, T2, and PD values in the NRG were significantly lower than those in the RG (all P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed in the ADC values between these two groups. Clinicopathological characteristics (Epstein–Barr virus [EBV]-DNA level, lymph node extranodal extension, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression) exhibited significant differences between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that T1, PD, EBV-DNA level, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression had significant independent relationships with CRT response (all P < 0.05). The multivariable model incorporating these five variables yielded AUC, sensitivity, and specificity values of 0.974, 93.8% (30/32), and 91.6% (87/95), respectively. Conclusion SyMRI may be used for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response in ANPC. The multivariable model incorporating syMRI quantitative parameters and clinicopathological characteristics, which were independently associated with CRT response, may be a new tool for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response.

To promote convergence education among national and international students, Nanjing Medical University designed an optional curriculum Two Sides of the Same Coin in Parasitic Diseases among international students for the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program, and a research-based teaching method was employed to teach 31 international students. This curriculum contained three parts, including parasitology-related knowledge, basic knowledge and skills of scientific research, and frontier topics in scientific research advances, and the assessment contents included course sign-in, classroom activity participation and scientific research presentation. Curriculum evaluation showed 100.0% (8/8) of students in batch 2018—2021, 81.8% (9/11) in batch 2022, and 83.3% (10/12) in batch 2023 with a total score of 80 points and higher, with median scores (interquartile range) of 91.1 (7.0), 90.8 (5.7) points and 90.8 (5.7) points, respectively (H = 0.04, P > 0.05). In addition, a questionnaire survey was performed with a Likert scale to assess the interests in curriculum learning, and the curriculum practicality and importance among 31 international students, and a total of 27 valid questionnaires were recovered, with a recovery rate of 87.1%. Questionnaire survey showed that the median total scores (interquartile range) were 7.0 (0.8) points among batch 2018—2021 students, 6.4 (1.4) points among batch 2022 students and 6.0 (1.1) points among batch 2023 students (H = 2.64, P > 0.05). Collectively, these data demonstrate that this optional curriculum improves the interests in parasitology learning of the international students for MBBS program, as well as their capability of self-directed learning, teamwork and innovative.

Objective To obtain the data of radiological diagnosis and treatment resource distribution at medical institutions of different levels and in various cities, understand the status of resource allocation, provide policy-making basis and suggestions for optimizing the allocation of radiological diagnosis and treatment resources within the province, and offer data and references for related research. Methods A basic situation questionnaire survey was conducted on radiological diagnosis and treatment institutions in Hunan Province. Data were reviewed, analyzed, and statistically processed using Excel software to understand the allocation situation of radiological diagnosis and treatment resources in Hunan Province. Results As of 2022, there were 3031 radiological diagnosis and treatment institutions, 19770 radiation workers, and 6617 pieces of radiological diagnostic and treatment equipment. There were 80 radiation treatment institutions, 49 nuclear medicine institutions, 178 interventional radiology institutions, and 3028 X-ray imaging diagnosis institutions. There were 1077 radiation workers in radiation treatment, 461 radiation workers in nuclear medicine, 3369 radiation workers in interventional radiology, and 14,863 radiation workers in X-ray imaging diagnosis. There were 135 pieces of radiation treatment equipment, 56 pieces of nuclear medicine equipment, 262 pieces of interventional radiology equipment, and 6164 pieces of X-ray imaging diagnosis equipment. Conclusion Primary and lower grade medical institutions in Hunan Province account for a relatively high proportion of the total number of medical institutions, whereas radiological diagnostic and treatment resources are predominantly concentrated in tertiary medical institutions, demonstrating a unbalanced allocation of radiological diagnosis and treatment resources in various cities. In terms of the overall allocation of radiological diagnosis and treatment resources, interventional radiology is superior to the national average, nuclear medicine and X-ray imaging diagnosis are comparable to the national averages, and radiation treatment is lower than the national average. The total GDP is not the decisive factor in determining the development of local medical levels. It is suggested that relevant authorities should improve the rationality of the planning for the allocation of radiological diagnosis and treatment resources, promote the allocation of radiological diagnosis and treatment resources to the grassroots and underdeveloped areas through various measures, and thus achieve the goal of balanced resource allocation.

Cancer multidrug resistance (MDR) impairs the therapeutic efficacy of various chemotherapeutics. Novel approaches, particularly the development of MDR reversal agents, are critically needed to address this challenge. This study demonstrates that tenacissoside I (TI), a compound isolated from Marsdenia tenacissima (Roxb.) Wight et Arn, traditionally used in clinical practice as an ethnic medicine for cancer treatment, exhibits significant MDR reversal effects in ABCB1-mediated MDR cancer cells. TI reversed the resistance of SW620/AD300 and KBV200 cells to doxorubicin (DOX) and paclitaxel (PAC) by downregulating ABCB1 expression and reducing ABCB1 drug transport function. Mechanistically, protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1), whose expression correlates with poor prognosis and shows positive association with both ABCB1 and EGFR expressions in tumor tissues, was differentially expressed in TI-treated SW620/AD300 cells. SW620/AD300 and KBV200 cells exhibited elevated levels of EGFR asymmetric dimethylarginine (aDMA) and enhanced PRMT1-EGFR interaction compared to their parental cells. Moreover, TI-induced PRMT1 downregulation impaired PRMT1-mediated aDMA of EGFR, PRMT1-EGFR interaction, and EGFR downstream signaling in SW620/AD300 and KBV200 cells. These effects were significantly reversed by PRMT1 overexpression. Additionally, TI demonstrated resistance reversal to PAC in xenograft models without detectable toxicities. This study establishes TI's MDR reversal effect in ABCB1-mediated MDR human cancer cells through inhibition of PRMT1-mediated aDMA of EGFR, suggesting TI's potential as an MDR modulator for improving chemotherapy outcomes.
Humans ; Protein-Arginine N-Methyltransferases/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects* ; ErbB Receptors/genetics* ; Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Resistance, Multiple/drug effects* ; Methylation/drug effects* ; Saponins/administration & dosage* ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B/genetics* ; Doxorubicin/pharmacology* ; Paclitaxel/pharmacology* ; Female ; Repressor Proteins

Objective:To discuss the effect of sericin on the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)signaling pathway and apoptosis in the streptozotocin(STZ)-damaged INS-1 cells,and to clarify its mechanism.Methods:The INS-1 cells were cultured with complete medium containing 0,0.1,0.3,1.0,3.0,and 10.0 μmol·L-1 Akt1 inhibitor A-674563,10 mmol·L-1 STZ,and 600 mg·L-1 sericin,and divided into 0,0.1,0.3,1.0,3.0,and 10.0 μmol·L-1 A-674563 groups,and the control group(complete medium without drugs)was set up.Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)method was used to detect the survival rates of the INS-1 cells,and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)value was calculated to determine the optimal inhibitory concentration of A-674563,which was further verified by Western blotting method.The INS-1 cells were divided into normal control group(complete medium),model group(10 mmol·L-1 STZ+complete medium),and low,medium,and high doses of sericin groups(10 mmol·L-1 STZ+150 mg·L-1 sericin+complete medium,10 mmol·L-1 STZ+300 mg·L-1 sericin+complete medium,and 10 mmol·L-1 STZ+600 mg·L-1 sericin+complete medium).CCK-8 method was used to detect the survival rates of the INS-1 cells in various groups to determine the optimal concentration of sericin.Additionally,the INS-1 cells were divided into normal control group(complete medium),model group(10 mmol·L-1 STZ+complete medium),sericin group(10 mmol·L-1 STZ+600 mg·L-1 sericin+complete medium),and A-674563 group(10 mmol·L-1 STZ+600 mg·L-1 sericin+0.3 μmol·L-1 A-674563+complete medium).Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptotic rates of the INS-1 cells in various groups;real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to detect the expression levels of Akt1,NF-κB,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),and interleukin-6(IL-6)mRNA in the INS-1 cells in various groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of phosphorylated Akt1(p-Akt1)and NF-κB proteins in the INS-1 cells in various groups;enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)method was used to detect the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the INS-1 cells in various groups.Results:The survival rates of the INS-1 cells in control group was 100.00%±0.00%;in 0,0.1,0.3,1.0,3.0,and 10.0 μmol·L-1 A-674563+10 mmol·L-1 STZ+600 mg·L-1 sericin+complete medium groups,which were 82.50%±2.28%,69.47%±1.94%,51.51%±1.74%,38.94%±1.57%,24.79%±1.14%,and 19.85%±1.03%,respectively.The IC?? value of A-674563 for INS-1 cells was 0.3 μmol·L-1,and 0.3 μmol·L-1 A-674563 was selected for subsequent experiments.Compared with 0 μmol·L-1 A-674563,the expression level of p-Akt1 protein in the INS-1 cells after treated with 0.3 μmol·L-1 A-674563+10 mmol·L-1 STZ+600 mg·L-1 sericin+complete medium was significantly decreased(P<0.05).The CCK-8 results showed that compared with normal control group,the survival rate of the INS-1 cells in model group was significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the survival rates of the INS-1 cells in low,medium,and high doses of sericin groups were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with low and medium doses of sericin groups,the survival rate of the INS-1 cells in high dose of sericin group was significantly increased(P<0.05).Thus,600 mg·L-1 sericin was selected for subsequent experiments.The CCK-8 results showed that compared with normal control group,the survival rate of the INS-1 cells in model group was significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the survival rate of the INS-1 cells in sericin group was significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with sericin group,the survival rate of the INS-1 cells in A-674563 group was significantly decreased(P<0.05).The flow cytometry results showed that compared with normal control group,the apoptotic rate of the INS-1 cells in model group was significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the apoptotic rate of the INS-1 cells in sericin group was significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with sericin group,the apoptotic rate of the INS-1 cells in A-674563 group was significantly increased(P<0.05).The RT-qPCR results showed that compared with normal control group,the expression level of Akt1 mRNA in the INS-1 cells in model group was significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the expression levels of Akt1 mRNA in the INS-1 cells in low,medium,and high doses of sericin groups were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with low and medium doses of sericin groups,the expression level of Akt1 mRNA in the INS-1 cells in high dose of sericin group was significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with normal control group,the expression levels of NF-κB,TNF-α,and IL-6 mRNA in the INS-1 cells in model group were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the expression levels of NF-κB,TNF-α,and IL-6 mRNA in the INS-1 cells in sericin group were significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with sericin group,the expression level of NF-κB mRNA in the INS-1 cells in A-674563 group was significantly increased(P<0.05).The Western blotting results showed that compared with normal control group,the expression level of p-Akt1 protein in the INS-1 cells in model group was significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the expression levels of p-Akt1 protein in the INS-1 cells in low,medium,and high doses of sericin groups were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with low and medium doses of sericin groups,the expression level of p-Akt1 protein in the INS-1 cells in high dose of sericin group was significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with normal control group,the expression level of NF-κB protein in the INS-1 cells in model group was significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the expression level of NF-κB protein in the INS-1 cells in sericin group was significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with sericin group,the expression level of NF-κB protein in the INS-1 cells in A-674563 group was significantly increased(P<0.05).The ELISA results showed that compared with normal control group,the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the INS-1 cells in model group were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the INS-1 cells in sericin group were significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with sericin group,the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the INS-1 cells in A-674563 group were significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusion:Sericin alleviates the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway-mediated inflammatory response and apoptosis by targeting Akt1,exerting a protective effect against STZ-induced damage in INS-1 cells.

Objective:To explore the current status of clinical trial registration for TCM treatment of heart failure.Methods:The clinical trials of TCM in the treatment of heart failure registered by China Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR) from the establishment of the database to June 30, 2024 were retrieved. Excel 2019 was used to input data and register time, registration area and institution, registration center and sample size, funding source, intervention measures, outcome indicators, random methods and blind methods were used for frequency analysis.Results:A total of 71 clinical trials of TCM in the treatment of heart failure in China were included, involving 13 provincial-level administrative regions. There were 39 clinical trial institutions participating in the registration, with Shanghai (16 items), Beijing (15 items), and Tianjin (12 items) ranking at the top in terms of registration numbers; the funding mainly relied on local finances, followed by national finances and hospital grants; in the registered projects, interventional studies accounted for the majority, mainly grouped through random number table methods, and only a small number of trials used blinding methods, with single-center participation being the norm; in terms of intervention measures, mainly Chinese patent medicines were used, while TCM decoctions were used less frequently. Outcome indicators were mainly efficacy indicators such as biochemical results and echocardiography, lacking monitoring of safety indicators.Conclusions:The number of clinical trial registrations for TCM in the treatment of heart failure in China is relatively small, but it shows a trend of increasing year by year. In terms of intervention measures, the treatment methods are also continuously enriching. However, there are still issues with clinical trials of TCM for the prevention and treatment of heart failure, such as insufficient awareness of registration among researchers, unbalanced regional and institutional distribution, and the need for improvement in the use of randomization and blinding methods.